Fluid transportation by a sample

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses and methods are provided for transporting fluid to a sample such as a sheet of material. The apparatuses and methods may employ a variety of interfaces that facilitate controlled fluid transportation from a lumen for absorption by the sample.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/147,637, filed Jun. 27, 2008, entitled “Fluid Transportation by a Sheet of Material,” by Andrew Kallmes, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,779,685 to Kallmes, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/946,707, filed Jun. 27, 2007, entitled “Fluid Transportation by a Sheet of Material,” by Andrew Kallmes, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to apparatuses and methods for measuring the fluid transportation and/or absorption behavior of sheet materials and other samples.

2. Description of Related Art

The desirability and performance characteristics of numerous sheet materials depend in large part on their fluid-transportation and/or absorption behavior. For example, paper towels, tissues, and other cellulosic sheets are often evaluated by their ability to absorb water and fluids containing liquid water. Similarly, numerous fabrics have been developed for their ability to absorb and wick moisture from a surface, e.g., wick perspiration from skin. Examples of such fabrics include a weft knits, denier gradient textiles and assorted laminates such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,145 to Pernick and U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,280 to Farnworth et al.

There are presently several methods and apparatus for determining the fluid-transportation properties of materials. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,870 to Lyssy describes an apparatus for measuring the water vapor permeability of sheet materials under adjustable constant measuring conditions. A lid having an air inlet opening and an outlet opening is attached on a cup containing water in a vapor and airtight manner. A sheet material having its circumferential border held between the rims of the cup and lid separates the water in the cup from the lid. An absorption member containing a moisture-absorbent material is in communication with the outlet opening. A blower in communication with the air inlet opening aspirates air through an air dryer and blows the resulting dry air into the sealed cup containing the sheet material. As a result, the permeability of the sheet material may be measured.

For liquid absorption testing, U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,827 to McConnell (hereinafter the “827 patent”) describes a gravimetric absorbency tester that determines the wicking properties of a material by determining the weight of liquid flowing to or from a test site. The apparatus includes a vessel for containing liquid supported solely by a balance, an indicator for indicating the weight sensed by the balance, a test surface containing the test site on which a specimen to be tested may received, a conduit operatively connecting the vessel to the test site for directing a flow of liquid between the vessel and test site, and an adjuster for vertically positioning the test site. The surface of the liquid in the vessel is maintained at a constant elevation as liquid flows into and out of the vessel.

One problematic issue associated with generally all liquid absorption testing involves the interface through which liquid is introduced into the specimen. For example, when the technology described the '827 patent is used, the test specimen is placed on a test plate having a hole though which liquid may be directed in an upward direction toward the specimen. This is problematic because fluid may preferentially wick along in the boundary between the specimen and the test plate instead of being absorbed the test specimen. In some instances, the test plate may be preferentially wetted over the specimen. Any fluid not absorbed by the specimen may represent a source of testing error.

In addition, a means may be required to provide sufficient activation energy to induce the liquid from the hole to wet the specimen and to liquid absorption by the specimen. Such means may, for example, include a pinch valve that allows liquid to be forced through the hole at a velocity that allows the liquid to contact the specimen and overcome surface forces against wetting. Such means may compromise tests designed to measure the intrinsic absorption properties of the test specimen because they introduce excess measurement noise.

Previously known technologies also have generally failed to address certain problems associated with the delivery of liquid to the specimen. For example, the technology described in the '827 patent employs a conduit operatively connecting the vessel to the test site for directing a flow of liquid between the vessel and test site. As shown in FIG. 1 of the '827 patent, the conduit defines a flow path that travels through an elevated local peak plateau region above both the vessel and the test site before reaching the test site. Such a flow path also tends to compromise tests designed to measure the intrinsic absorption properties of the test specimen because they introduce measurement errors associated with uneven or uncontrolled liquid flow. Such errors may arise, for example, due to the tendency of the conduit to trap air or other gasses.

Still another problematic issue associated liquid absorption testing is that test specimens may swell and/or deform as they absorb liquid. As a result, the test specimens in part or in whole may be displaced relative to the surface from which test specimens absorb liquid during testing. In turn, liquid transport behavior may be disrupted or otherwise altered, thereby compromising the accuracy of the test.

Accordingly, there exist opportunities to provide alternatives and improvements to known methods and apparatuses for determining the fluid-transportation properties of materials, particularly for the purpose of overcoming any shortcomings associated with known methods and apparatuses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Apparatuses and methods are provided for transporting fluid to a sheet of material. Typically, the sheet is immobilized on an upper surface of a support structure. The upper surface of the support structure may be bounded by a periphery and may contact a minority portion, e.g., no more than 10% of a lower surface, of the sheet within the periphery. A container holding a fluid is provided along with a conduit having a fluid-conveying lumen that extends from the container to one opening or branches from the container into a plurality of terminal openings facing the lower surface of the sheet. Optionally, a porous medium is placed in fluid communication with the fluid-conveying lumen and in contact with the lower surface of the sheet. The medium has wetting properties effective to allow the fluid to be wicked from the lumen against gravity via capillary action. Once transported to an upper surface of the porous medium, the sheet absorbs the fluid from the medium. By measuring the fluid transported from the container, fluid-transport and/or absorption properties of the sheet may be assessed.

In another embodiment, an assembly for wetting a sheet of material is provided. The assembly includes a sheet of material supported by a support structure as described above. A means for immobilizing the sheet on support structure, e.g., a weight having substantially coplanar lower exterior and interior surfaces, may be placed in contact with the upper surface of the sheet.

In still another embodiment, the invention provides a method for assessing fluid-transportation anisotropy by a sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface. The method involves obtaining data from a first absorption test that employs a single wetting interface at a lower surface of a first test sheet of the material and obtaining data from a second absorption test that employs a plurality of wetting interfaces at a lower surface of a second test sheet of material. The data for the first and second absorption tests are compared to determine any differences between radial and axial fluid-transporting behavior the sheet of the material over time, optionally relative to saturation.

In a further embodiment, an apparatus is provided for transporting fluid to a sheet of material as generally described above but with a means for positioning an interfacing portion of the sheet to absorb fluid through the opening. Such positioning means may include, for example, a member for controllably pressing the interfacing portion of the sheet through the opening. The member may include a screw that has spiral grooves that allows for controllable positioning of the member relative to the weight on the sheet.

In a still further embodiment, a method is provided wherein a sheet is in a horizontal orientation on upper surface of a support. Fluid is directed from a container through a fluid-conveying lumen of a conduit that extends from the container to a terminal opening facing the lower surface of the sheet such that a negative head is defined between the lower surface of the sheet and the fluid in the opening. An interfacing portion of the sheet is lowered to absorb fluid through the opening against gravity.

In yet another embodiment, an apparatus transports a fluid to a sample. The apparatus includes a support structure supporting the sample, a container holding the fluid. A that has a fluid-conveying lumen defines a fluid flow path extending from a first terminal opening at the container to a second terminal opening below the sample. Optionally, the flow path may not exhibit an elevated local peak region between the first and second terminal openings. A means is provided for facilitating the sample to absorb the fluid from the second terminal opening. The facilitating means may include, for example, a porous medium, or a means for positioning an interfacing portion of the sample to absorb fluid through the second terminal opening against gravity. The facilitating means may exclude a pinch valve.

In a yet further embodiment, the invention provides a support structure for supporting a sample having a lower surface in a horizontal orientation. The structure includes a plurality of support members, a fixture for immobilizing the support members relative to each other, and a means for immobilizing a conduit having a fluid-conveying lumen relative to the support members. The support members have coplanar upper surfaces that define a wetting plane on which the lower surface of the sample may be placed. At least a portion of the lumen may extend upward toward an interface near or within the wetting plane to transport fluid along a flow path that terminates at the lower surface of the sample.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B, collectively referred to as FIG. 1, depict simplified embodiments of the invention in the form of apparatuses that use a porous medium for wicking fluid upward via capillary action to evaluate fluid transportation properties of a sheet of material in a horizontal orientation. FIG. 1A shows in schematic cross-sectional exploded view an embodiment wherein a conduit is connected to an outlet port extending through a submerged portion of a container of liquid. FIG. 1B shows in schematic cross-sectional exploded view an embodiment wherein the conduit is arranged in manner that requires a siphoning action to transport liquid over the top of the container.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, collectively referred to as FIG. 2, depict a web plate and a porous sheet of material suitable for use as the sample holder of the invention. FIG. 2A shows the web plate in simplified schematic top view. FIG. 2B shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of the web plate along a plane indicated by dotted line A with a porous sheet on an upper surface thereof FIG. 2C is a photograph of an exemplary web plate having a sheet on an upper surface thereof held next to an optional weight. FIG. 2D is a photograph of the same web plate and sheet with the weight held over the sheet.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, collectively referred to as FIG. 3, depict a prior art support plate that contacts greater than a majority of a lower sheet surface. FIG. 3A schematically shows in top view the support plate without a sheet on an upper surface thereof. FIG. 3B shows in cross-sectional schematic view the support plate along a plane indicated by dotted line B with a sheet on an upper surface thereof FIG. 3C is a photograph of a prior art support plate.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D, collectively referred to as FIG. 4, depict a weight suitable for use with the invention. FIG. 4A schematically shows the weight in top view. FIG. 4B schematically shows the weight in bottom view. FIG. 4C schematically shows the weight in cross sectional view along a plane indicated by dotted line C. FIG. 4D is a photograph or an exemplary weight similar to that depicted in FIGS. 4A-4C.

FIG. 5 schematically depicts a simplified embodiment of the invention in the form of an apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 1A except a plurality of porous media is provided, each in communication with a different terminal opening.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, collectively referred to as FIG. 6, depict an embodiment of the invention in the form of an apparatus that use a center screw to position an interfacing portion of a sheet in a controllable manner to evaluate fluid transportation properties of a sheet of material. FIG. 6A shows in schematic cross-sectional view the embodiment that exhibits a negative head arrangement that prevents the sheet from absorbing fluid through a terminal opening of the conduit. FIG. 6B shows in schematic cross-sectional view the embodiment wherein the center screw is used to depress the interfacing portion of the sheet into the conduit to absorbing fluid through the terminal opening. FIG. 6C is a photograph of the weight, shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the weight having a center screw in a generally raised position relative to the weight's body. FIG. 6D is a photograph of the weight shown in FIG. 6C, wherein the center screw is set in a lowered position such that its lower surface extends past the lower surface of the weight's body.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D, collectively referred to as FIG. 7, depict an exemplary support structure of the invention that includes a plate with eight fins. FIG. 7A shows the support structure in simplified schematic top view. FIG. 7B shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of the support structure along a plane indicated by dotted line D with a porous sheet sample on an upper surface thereof. FIG. 7C is a photograph of a support structure similar to that depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B except with fourteen fins in a right-side-up orientation supported by a plastic cup. FIG. 7D is a photograph of the support structure shown in FIG. 7C except in an upside-down orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific fluids or porous media, as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

In addition, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular article forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an opening” includes an arrangement of openings as well as a single opening, reference to “fluid” includes a single fluid as well as a mixture of fluids, and the like.

In this specification and in the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings, unless the context in which they are employed clearly indicates otherwise:

The term “array” is used herein in its ordinary sense and refers to an ordered arrangement of features, e.g., holes, in one, two, or three dimensions, e.g., rectilinear grids, parallel stripes, spirals, and the like.

The terms “cellulose, “cellulosic” and the like are used herein in their ordinary sense and refer to a complex carbohydrate or polysaccharide that includes a plurality of monomeric glucose units (C₆H₁₀O₅). As is well known in the art, cellulose constitutes the chief part of the cell walls of plants, occurs naturally in fibrous products such as cotton and linen, and is the raw material of many manufactured goods such as paper, rayon, and cellophane.

The term “fluid” is used herein in its ordinary sense and refers to matter that is nonsolid or at least partially gaseous and/or liquid. A fluid may contain a solid that is minimally, partially or fully solvated, dispersed or suspended. Examples of fluids include, without limitation, aqueous liquids (including water per se and salt water) and nonaqueous liquids such as organic solvents and the like.

The term “head” refers to the relative positions between a fluid source and a support on which an interfacing portion of a sheet may be placed to absorb fluid from the source. A “negative head” refers to an arrangement in which the sheet does not absorb fluid without from the source in the absence of added activation energy to initiate absorption.

The term “substantially identical” as used to describe a plurality of items indicates that the items are identical to a considerable degree, but that absolute identicalness is not required. For example, when openings are described herein as of a “substantially identical size,” the openings' size may be identical or sufficiently near identical such that any differences in their size are trivial in nature and do not adversely affect the performance of the openings' function. The terms “substantial” and “substantially” are used analogously in other contexts involve an analogous definition.

In general, the invention relates to apparatuses for measuring wetting and/or other mechanisms of fluid transportation by a sheet of material or some other sample. Typically, the sheet or sample has upper and lower surfaces and is immobilized on an upper surface of a support structure. A container holding a fluid is provided with a conduit having a fluid-conveying lumen that extends from the container to a terminal opening facing the lower surface of the sheet or sample. The sheet or sample is positioned to absorb fluid from the terminal opening. A means may be provided for measuring and/or monitor the amount of fluid in the container to determine the fluid-transportation or absorption properties of the sheet.

Typically, the invention is practiced in a manner that provides an accurate means for determining the intrinsic fluid-transporting properties and behavior of the sheet. In contrast to prior art technologies, the invention minimizes systemic measurement error, e.g., those that may arise through the inappropriately forceful introduction of fluid into the sheet. That is, the invention provides a facilitating means to deliver fluid for absorption by a sheet at a rate that matches the intrinsic transporting rate of the sheet. In some embodiments, a “controlled puddle” is provided from which a sheet interfaced therewith may absorb fluid in a manner such that fluid-transport dynamics are overwhelming dominated by the intrinsic properties of the sheet rather than by the manner in which fluid is initially delivered to the sheet. In other embodiments, a means is provided to ensure that only an interfacing portion of the sheet is controllably lowered and maintained in position to absorb fluid from the terminal opening.

The invention may be practiced to ensure the intrinsic properties of the sheet dominate the dynamics of fluid-transportation. For example, the inventive apparatus may be constructed such that the upper surface of the support structure is bounded a periphery and contacts a minority portion (e.g., no more than about 5% to about 10%) of the lower surface of the sheet within the periphery, so that only a minority portion for the sheet's lower surface is subject to interfacial fluid-transportation effects. Optionally, a porous medium is placed in fluid communication with the fluid-conveying lumen and in contact with the lower surface of the sheet. The medium may have wetting properties effective to allow the medium to wick fluid from the lumen against gravity via capillary action and to allow the sheet to absorb the fluid from the medium.

As another example, the support structure may include a plurality of support members, a fixture for immobilizing the support members relative to each other, and a means for immobilizing a conduit relative to the support members. The support members may have coplanar upper surfaces that define a wetting plane on which the lower surface of the sample may be placed. At least a portion of a lumen within the conduit may extend upward toward an interface near or within the wetting plane to transport fluid along a flow path that terminates at the lower surface of the sample. The support members may be arranged to minimize signal noise associated with the dynamics of fluid transportation between the upper surfaces of the support members and the lower surface of the sample relative to the intrinsic absorption properties of the sample.

A simplified exemplary embodiment of the inventive apparatus is schematically depicted in FIG. 1. As with all figures referenced herein, in which like parts are referenced by like numerals, FIG. 1 is not necessarily to scale, and certain dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity of presentation. Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 includes a container 12, which acts as a reservoir that holds or serves as a source of a liquid 14 to be employed in testing the performance of a suitable sample sheet 30 of material. As shown, the container 12 has an upper opening 16 through which liquid 14 may be added.

Also shown is a conduit 20 having a fluid-conveying lumen 22 that extends from a first terminal opening 23 at or near a submerged portion of the container 12 to a second terminal opening 24, thereby defining a flow path for the fluid, e.g., liquid 13, to be transported from the container 12 to the second terminal opening 24. The conduit may transport liquid from the container in various ways. In FIG. 1A, for example, the first terminal opening 23 of the conduit is connect to a port 17 extending through a container wall 18 and located at a submerged portion of the container 12. Thus, the flow path shown in FIG. 1A does not exhibit an elevated local peak region. The absence of an elevated local peak region tends promote fluid flow at a rate controlled by the intrinsic absorption properties of the sample 30 rather than by the physical characteristics or geometry of the flow path. Notably, no pinch valve is placed within the flow path.

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 1B, the conduit 20 may extend in a configuration that allows liquid 14 to be siphoned from a first terminal opening 23 through the flow path that extends upwardly through upper opening 16 of the container 12 and over the top of container wall 18 toward the second terminal opening 24. Thus, in contrast to FIG. 1A, the flow path in FIG. 1B exhibits an elevated local peak region 19 located at a height above both the container and the sample. If such a flow path is used, liquid 14 is preferably siphoned for the apparatus shown in FIG. 1B in a manner that does not trap any air or other gas pockets in the conduit lumen 22. Optionally, a pinch valve (not shown) may be placed within the flow path to provide additional wetting activation energy.

It should be noted that different liquids may have different properties that may dictate the geometry and construction of the conduit and flow path between wetting properties and the container and the sample. For example, water is a polar liquid whereas oils in general are considered nonpolar. Water and oils exhibit different cohesive, adhesive, and surface tension properties. It has been found that certain liquids, e.g., water, perform well in flow paths that require initial siphoning, but that other liquids, e.g., oils, do not. Thus, for oils, flow paths having elevated local peak regions should be avoided.

The sheet 30 has an upper surface 32 and a lower surface 34 and is interposed in a horizontal orientation between a support structure 40 and a means for immobilizing the sheet in the form of a weight 50 placed on the upper surface 32 of the sheet 30. As shown, the weight 50 may have a lower interior surface 52 and a lower exterior surface 54 that contacts the upper surface 32. The support structure 40 has an upper surface 42 bounded by a periphery 44. As discussed in detail below, the support structure 40 may include a web plate having an upper surface 42 that contacts no more than 10% of the lower sheet surface 34 within the periphery 44.

The second terminal opening 24 of the lumen 22 is positioned in facing relationship to the lower surface 34 of the sheet 30. Typically, the opening 24 is positioned at a height such that it lies in horizontal plane “L,” as generally defined by the meniscus surface 15 of the liquid 14 in the reservoir vessel 12. Typically, the horizontal plane L is a wetting plane. Care must be taken in positioning opening 24 relative to plane L. If the opening 24 is elevated relative to plane L, a means may be required to provide sufficient activation energy to induce the liquid from the hole to wet the sheet 30. However, if the opening 24 is located below plane L, liquid will tend to flow out of opening 24.

A facilitating means in the form of a porous medium 60 is placed in fluid communication with the lumen 22. As a result, the medium 60 extends from terminal opening 24, and an upper surface 62 of the medium 60 contacts the lower surface 34 of the sheet 30. Notably, the medium 60 contacts a portion of the sheet 30 generally bounded by lower interior surface 52 of the weight. The medium 60 has wetting properties effective to allow liquid 14 to be wicked upward via capillary action toward the sheet 30.

In operation, the sheet 30 to be tested is placed on the top surface 42 of the support structure. The weight 50 is placed on the sheet 30 so that both lower surfaces 52 and 54 contacts the upper sheet surface 32. As the terminal opening 24 is positioned in substantially the same level as the surface 15 of the liquid 14 in the container 12, liquid 14 is free to flow from the container 12 to terminal opening 24 due to gravitational forces when valve 28 in the conduit 20 is opened. The porous medium 60 wicks liquid 14 from the opening 24 of the lumen 20 against gravity via capillary action toward surface 62, thereby effectively providing a controlled puddle.

Then, sheet 30 then absorbs liquid 14 from the container 12. Typically, the container 12 holds a sufficiently large volume of liquid such that the level of the surface 15 does not substantially change while liquid 14 is absorbed by the sheet 30. That is, the porous medium 60 may serve as a “controlled puddle” interface to an effectively limitless amount of liquid for absorption by the sheet 30. If, however, a smaller amount of liquid is used, a mechanism may be used to maintain relative height of the opening 24 and the liquid surface 15 in the container 12.

By monitoring the quantity of liquid in the container 12 before any liquid 14 has flowed from the container 12 to the sheet 30, and the weight after all absorption by the sheet 30 has ceased, the total amount of liquid taken up by the test sheet 30 may then be determined. The apparatus can also be employed to evaluate the absorbency rate of a specimen by noting the volumetric or weight change of liquid in the container over a period of time.

In other words, a method is provided for transporting fluid for absorption by a sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface. The sheet is placed in a horizontal orientation on upper surface of a support such that the upper surface of the support structure contacts no more than 10% of the lower surface of the sheet within a periphery bounding the upper surface. Fluid is directed from a container through a fluid-conveying lumen of a conduit that extends from the container to a terminal opening facing the lower surface of the sheet. A porous medium in fluid communication with the fluid-conveying lumen and in contact with the lower surface of the sheet is allowed to wick fluid from the lumen against gravity via capillary action and to allow the sheet to absorb the fluid from the medium. Optionally, the fluid in the container is measured repeatedly while the fluid flows through the lumen and/or the porous medium.

FIG. 2 shows in detail the web plate 40 suitable for use with the invention. As shown in FIG. 2A, the web plate includes a central web section 46 formed from a plurality of regularly-spaced intersecting filaments 47 defining an array of through opening 48 of substantially identical size and shape. As shown in FIG. 2B, the filaments 47 may be stretched under tension, be bounded by periphery 44, and define a substantially planar upper horizontal surface. Optionally, filaments are interlaced. When a sheet 30 is placed on the upper surface 42 of the web plate 40, only a small portion, e.g., less than 5% to 10%, of the lower sheet surface 34 contacts the web section 46, since the web section 46 area may include a greater portion of openings 48 than filaments 47. As a result, only a small amount of fluid may collect about the boundary between the web plate 40 and the sheet.

In contrast, FIG. 3 shows a prior art support plate 40 that includes a central opening 48 through which liquid may be introduced to the upper support plate surface 42. When a sheet 30 is placed on the upper support plate surface 42, substantially then entirety of the lower sheet surface 34 faces the upper support plate surface 42. As a result, fluid may pool or preferentially wet the boundary between the lower sheet surface 34 and the upper support plate surface 42. As boundary fluid does not represent fluid transported solely as a result of the intrinsic absorption properties of the sheet, sheet absorption measurements may be compromised.

Alternative support structures may be used as well. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, depicts a support structure 40 in the form of a fin plate that may be used to replace the support structure shown in FIG. 1. The support structure 40 includes a plurality of support members 41 in the form of fins. The fins 41 are immobilized relative to each other via a fixture 43 in the form of a generally circular plate. The plate 43 has an upper surface 43U, a lower surface 43L that is parallel to the upper surface 43U, and a center through-hole 43H. The fins 41 extend upward from upper plate surface 43U, terminate at rectangular, upper-fin surfaces 42, and are evenly spaced in a fan-out manner about the center through-hole. The upper fin surfaces 42 surfaces are generally coplanar relative to each other, parallel to the upper plate surface 43U, and define a wetting plane “L.”

Also included is interfacing component 43I. As shown, the interfacing component extends through and is immobilized within the center through-hole 43H of the plate 43. The interface includes an upper interfacing opening 43IU and a lower interfacing opening 43IL. As shown, the upper interfacing opening 43IU may be located slightly below the wetting plane 42. The lower interfacing opening 43IL may be connected to and serve to immobilize a conduit 20 having a fluid-conveying lumen 22 relative to the support members 41. As shown, the portion of the lumen 22 may extend upward toward an interface near or within the wetting plane to transport fluid along a flow path that terminates at the lower surface of the sample.

Fin plates of the invention may vary. For example, the fin plate shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D includes fourteen fins instead of the eight shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. In addition, different materials may be used. For example, the fin plate shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D includes an optically transparent polymeric plate, a plurality of metallic fins, and an optically opaque polymeric interface.

Support members may take forms other than that shown in FIG. 7. For example, support members may be provided as rectilinear arrays of columnar or other geometries. In addition, the support members do not have to be identical in size or shape.

In operation, the lower surface 34 of the sample 30 to be tested is placed in contact with the top surface 42 of the support structure. Liquid 14 is free to flow through a flow path that extends through lumen 22 upward and through interfacing component 43I located within the center through-hole 43H of the plate 43. Any of a number of facilitating mean may be used to allow the sample to absorb liquid from the upper opening 43IU of the interfacing component.

It should be noted that certain samples may change shape as they absorb liquid. In such cases, the support structure should be chosen to account for such shape changes. For example, the support members should be chosen and arranged in a manner that deters the sample from sagging between the support members. It has been experimentally determined that the support structure depicted in FIG. 7 with fins arranged in a radially fan-out manner tends to reduce unwanted sample sagging between support members relative to certain other support structures during testing, particularly for samples of single-ply toilet paper.

FIG. 4 depicts a weight 50 that may be used as means for immobilizing the sheet on the upper support structure surface 42. As shown, the weight 50 may be comprised of a unitary piece having an upper surface 51, and coplanar lower interior and exterior surfaces 52 and 54. A through hole 55 extends along vertical axis V through the weight and provides communication between the upper surface 51 and the lower interior surface 52. The lower surfaces are substantially concentric about axis V, which perpendicular to the plane of the lower surfaces.

When placed in operation, as shown in FIG. 1, the weight 50 is placed on the upper sheet surface 32. The lower weight surfaces 52 and 54 serve to maintain the substantial planarity of the sheet as the sheet is wet. Accordingly, the weight, like the support, may comprise or be coated with a hydrophobic material, e.g., silicones, fluorinated and perfluorinated polymers, polyolefins, certain acrylics, etc., at and/or near the lower interior surface of the weight. In any case, the through hole 55 allows an operator of the invention to view the initial wetting of the sheet 30.

Thus, in another embodiment, an assembly for wetting a sheet of material is provided. That includes a sheet of material supported by a support structure as described above. A weight having substantially coplanar lower exterior and interior surfaces is placed in contact with the upper surface of the sheet.

The invention may be used with any of a number of fluids. Typically, the invention is used in combination with liquids, but fluids such as emulsions, suspension, etc. may also be compatible with the invention. In particular, the invention finds widespread use in combination with aqueous fluids, e.g., water-based saline solutions, though nonaqueous and/or organic fluids may be suitable for use with the invention.

The porous medium may vary as well. Typically, the porous medium is substantially incompressible and may comprise a glass frit material. However, the porous medium may be compressible in some situations. For example, the porous medium may additionally or alternatively comprise a sponge or other porous disposable material suitable for wicking fluid toward the sample. Disposable materials are well suited for samples that include fluid soluble components that may flow into the porous medium.

Depending on the requirements of the practitioner of the invention, the porous medium may be effective to transport the fluid from the lumen to a distance of at least about 3 to 5 millimeters upward against gravity via capillary action. In addition, the overall construction of the medium may vary as well. For example, the porous medium may have a surface facing the sheet with an area of at least about 1 cm² or about 2 cm² to about 4 cm². An exemplary medium for use with the invention may have a porosity of at least about 30% and a pore size and surface properties appropriate for wicking the test fluid.

Any number of means may be used for measuring fluid in the container. For example, the fluid may be measured by weight. In some instances, the container may be supported solely by a weight-sensing surface of a weighing means such as an electronic balance having a tare switch and a display. If desired, a force transducer or similar device may be used instead of a balance. In addition or in the alternative, optical and/or electronic means may be used to measure the volume of the fluid in the container. Additional fluid measuring means may include flow meters and other devices effective to measure and/or monitor a change in the fluid content in the container over a desired time period.

The invention may be used with any of a number of sheet materials. For example, the sheet may be at least cellulosic in part, e.g., a paper product. In addition or in the alternative, the sheet may comprise one or more synthetic polymeric materials such as polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyethylene glycols, acrylic polymers, combinations thereof, and copolymers of any of the foregoing. In some instances, sheets such as woven, laminate, and/or denier gradient fabrics may be used. Such so-called “high-performance wicking” fabrics may be used with or without chemical treatment in apparel that allows moisture to be transported away from a wearer, thereby balancing body temperature and enhancing comfort.

To measure the performance of such “high-performance wicking fabrics,” it is often necessary to approximate such fabrics in use, e.g., as exercise apparel. Since exercise apparel are often used in varying operating conditions, the invention may include additional features to simulate these operating conditions. For example, a means may be provided for increasing vapor transport at the upper surface of the sheet. Such vapor-transport-increasing means may includes a blower and/or a suction device, e.g., to approximate wind conditions a runner might experience. Similarly, a means may be for transporting fluid through the conduit at a predetermined rate, e.g., selected to approximate human perspiration. Such means may include a pump, suction device, and/or other fluid-transporting devices known in the art.

When the inventive apparatus includes a conduit having a fluid-conveying lumen that extends from the container to plurality of terminal openings facing the lower surface of the sheet, the porous material may sometimes be omitted. The terminal openings may form an array, e.g., a circular array. The openings are may vary or be substantially identical in size and/or shape. When each opening has a circular shape, their diameters may range from about 0.5 to about 6 mm, or more specifically, from about 2 to about 4 mm.

In still another embodiment, the invention provides a method for assessing fluid-transportation anisotropy by a sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface. The method involves obtaining data from a first absorption test that employs a single wetting interface at a lower surface of a first test sheet of the material and obtaining data from a second absorption test that employs a plurality of wetting interfaces at a lower surface of a second test sheet of material. The data for the first and second absorption tests are compared to determine any differences between radial and axial fluid-transporting behavior the sheet of the material over time.

For example, a first absorption test may be carried out using an apparatus that includes a first test sheet and single wetting interface as shown in FIG. 1A. A second absorption test may be carried out using a second test sheet substantially identical to the first test sheet and a plurality of wetting interfaces as shown in FIG. 5. If all wetting interfaces are substantially identical, the initial uptake rate of the second test sheet should be proportional to the initial uptake rate of the first test sheet by the number of wetting interfaces used in the second test.

However, it should be also be apparent that the second sheet should be saturated more quickly than the first sheet. In addition, wetting of the first sheet is accomplished through a more horizontal (radial) absorption mechanism, while a more vertical (axial) absorption mechanism controls the wetting of the second sheet. Thus, by comparing the data of the two tests, those of ordinary skill in the art should be able to assess any differences between directional absorption properties of the sheets.

FIG. 6 depicts another simplified embodiment of the inventive apparatus having some similarity to that shown in FIG. 1A. For example, the apparatus of FIG. 6 include a container 12 and a conduit 20 having a fluid-conveying lumen 22 that extends from a first terminal opening 23 to a second terminal opening 24 that faces support structure 40. Like the conduit shown in FIG. 1A, the conduit 20 of FIG. 6 serves to transport liquid 14 from the container 12 test sample sheet 30, which is interposed in a horizontal orientation between a support structure 40 and weight 50. However, the apparatus of FIG. 6 does not include a porous medium between the conduit and the sample.

The weight 50 of FIG. 6 is also similar to that shown in FIG. 4 except that it includes a guide 57 spanning across hole 55 that engages a single screw 58 centered therein. The screw 58 may be lowered or raised relative to the guide 57 and other parts of the weight 50 by turning the screw clockwise or counterclockwise, respectively. As a result, the movable screw 58 may serve as a means for positioning or maintaining the position of an interfacing portion 35 of the sheet to absorb fluid through opening 24.

FIG. 6 shows that terminal opening 24 of the lumen 22 is positioned in facing relationship to the lower surface 34 of the sheet 30 at a height slightly above horizontal plane “L” which is defined by surface 15A of the liquid 14 in the reservoir vessel 12. Accordingly, at equilibrium, liquid 14 forms a surface 15B that lies slightly below opening 24. That is, meniscus surfaces 15A and 15B both generally lie in plane L.

In operation, as shown in FIG. 6A, a sheet 30 to be tested is placed on the support structure 40. The weight 50 is placed on the upper surface 32 of sheet 30. As a result, the sheet is rendered substantially immobile on the support structure.

As shown in FIG. 6A, sheet 30 does not contact meniscus surface 15B. That is, FIG. 6A depicts a negative head arrangement. Typical negative head arrangements may be such that the opening or liquid meniscus is located at least about one to about ten millimeters below the support structure and/or the sheet.

In general, when prior art negative-head liquid-absorption sheet testing equipment is used, testing may require one or both of two approaches to initial liquid absorption. The first approach is to force or squirt liquid upward into the sample sheet on a support using a pinch valve or the like. The second approach is to lower the support directly into the liquid to be absorbed. Both approaches tend to produce excessive momentum-related artifacts that skew test data.

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 6B, the invention may involve the use of the center screw to deform the sample sheet 30 or manipulate only a portion of the sample sheet on the support structure 40 to initiate absorption. As shown in FIG. 6B, the center screw 58 is slowly turned so that is it presses gently downward against the 32 upper surface of the sheet's interfacing portion 35. As a result, at least the lower surface 34 of the sheet's interfacing portion 35 travels through opening 24. When the sheet's interfacing portion 35 breaks meniscus 15B and effectively becomes submerged in liquid 14 in lumen 12, sufficient activation energy has been provided to allow the sheet 30 to begin absorbing liquid. In effect, the screw 58 serves as a means to ensure the establishment and maintenance of a single point interface between the sample sheet and the liquid. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention allows for a greater initial negative head than known absorption testing technologies.

It should be noted that the construction of the weight shown in FIG. 6B may Fin plates of the invention may vary. For example, different materials may be used. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the body of the weight may be formed from an optically transparent polymeric material, and the center screw may be formed from a metallic material. However, other combination of materials may be used as well.

Thus, the invention provides a number of advantages over known absorption testing equipment and methods. In general, the invention provides an improved interface through which liquid may be introduced into the specimen for the duration of absorption testing. The improved interface may serve to: (1) reduce the activation energy required for initiating absorption testing; (2) maintain contact between the liquid to be absorbed with the sheet or sample to be tested; (3) allow for a greater negative head; and (4) improve the repeatability of results by reducing the noise to signal ratio for the test results.

Variations of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the disclosure contained herein and may be discovered upon routine experimentation. For example, while a center screw has been disclosed herein as a means for positioning an interfacing portion of the sheet to absorb fluid through the opening against gravity member, other means may be used as well. In some instances, the means may include levers, gears, pulleys, etc., in addition to or instead of spiral grooves to allow controllable positioning of the sheet's interfacing structure. Similarly, various vertical leveling mechanisms known in the art may be used in conjunction with the support structure. Furthermore, while the above description has focused on samples in the form of an absorbent sheet, the invention may be employed with samples of other forms as well.

It is to be understood that, while the invention has been described in conjunction with the preferred specific embodiments thereof, the foregoing description merely illustrates and does not limit the scope of the invention. Numerous alternatives and equivalents exist which do not depart from the invention set forth above. For example, the inventive apparatus may be constructed to contain or exclude specific features and components according to the intended use of the apparatus, and any particular embodiment of the invention, e.g., those depicted in any drawing herein, may be modified to include or exclude element of other embodiments. Alternatively, stated, different features of the invention described above may be combined in different ways. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

All patents disclosed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to an extent not inconsistent with the above disclosure. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for transporting fluid to a sample, comprising: a support structure supporting the sample; a container holding a fluid; a conduit having a fluid-conveying lumen that defines a flow path for the fluid extending from a first terminal opening at the container to a second terminal opening below the sample; and a means for facilitating the sample to absorb the fluid from the second terminal opening, wherein the flow path does not exhibit an elevated local peak region between the first and second terminal openings.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the facilitating means comprises a porous medium.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the porous medium comprises a glass frit material.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the facilitating means comprises a means for positioning an interfacing portion of the sample to absorb fluid through the second terminal opening against gravity.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the positioning means comprises a member for controllably pressing the interfacing portion of the sample through the second terminal opening.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a weight for having a lower surface in contact with the sample, wherein the member includes a spiral groove that allows for controllable positioning of the member relative to the weight and for controllably pressing the interfacing portion of the sample through the second terminal opening.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second terminal opening is located at least one millimeter below the support structure.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the facilitating means excludes a pinch valve.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for measuring fluid in the container.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the means for measuring fluid in the container includes a balance for weighing the fluid in the container.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the means for measuring fluid in the container is effective to measure and/or monitor a change in the fluid content in the container over a desired time period.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for immobilizing the sample on the support sample, wherein the sample is a sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface in a horizontal orientation, the support structure has an upper surface that supports the sheet in a manner such that the upper surface of the support structure contacts no more than 10% of the lower surface of the sheet, and the conduit has a fluid-conveying lumen that extends from the container and branches into a plurality of terminal openings facing the lower surface of the sheet.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sample has a lower surface in a horizontal orientation, and the support structure comprises a plurality of support members each having an upper surface on which the lower surface of the sample is placed, wherein the upper surfaces are substantially coplanar and define a wetting plane a fixture for immobilizing the support members relative to each other, and a means for immobilizing the conduit relative to the support members such that at least a portion of the lumen extends upward toward an interface near or within the wetting plane to transport fluid along a flow path that terminates at the lower surface of the sample.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the fixture comprises a plate having an upper surface the support members comprises a plurality of fins extending upward from the upper surface of the plate.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the plate includes a center through-hole about which the fins are radially arranged in a fan out manner, and the flow path extends through the center through-hole.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13, supporting the sample, wherein the upper surfaces of the support members contacts no more than 10% of the lower surface of the sample. 